“For God’s sake, Herr major--my life isn’t in danger? I implore you, have pity on me!” “It will matter little whether personally I have pity on you. You will go with me to the Gefion and be brought before a court-martial at Flushing. The fact that you have been Brandelaar’s accomplice cannot be got rid of. He has just now declared definitely that the two loaves were intended for you.” “For me? That is a vile lie. I have never received a penny from the English.” “Well--but, without special reasons, a man doesn’t amuse himself by paying a visit to a herring-smack at night. The cargo could have been delivered to Herr Eberhard Amelungen without your inspection.” “Eberhard Amelungen?” “Don’t pretend to be so ignorant. Brandelaar has already confessed so much, that you can easily admit the rest. Amelungen and Van Spranekhuizen are in a conspiracy to carry on a regular system of espionage in the interests of England. You are used as an agent, and Maaning Brandelaar is trying to get out of it by sacrificing you.” “So it seems, really. But I am quite innocent, Herr major. I know nothing of all that. The last time Brandelaar left the Schelde, he came to see me here in Breskens and told me that he would soon be back again and that it would be a good business for me.” “When did that happen?” “Three weeks ago. I had no reason to distrust Brandelaar, since he had often supplied goods for Amelungen.” “But why did you come on board to-day?” “Brandelaar wanted it. He said I could look at the cargo and discuss whether it should be unloaded here or at Ternenzen.” “Now, M. Penurot, I will tell you something. You will go with me to Antwerp, where I will call on Herr Amelungen and convince myself whether you are really as innocent as you say, and as I shall be glad to believe you are for the present.” The grocer appeared to be getting still more uneasy. “But you won’t take me before the court-martial?” “That remains to be seen. I can promise you nothing. Everything will depend on the information which Herr Amelungen gives me about you, and on your future behaviour. I will now have Brandelaar down again, and you will remain silent while I speak to him.” “Of course, I will do everything the Herr major tells me.” Brandelaar having been summoned to the cabin, Heideck addressed him as follows:--